Following their story in May 30's Green Arrow Annual #2, the duo of Julie Benson and Shawna Benson will take over writing duties on Green Arrow for DC Comics, joined by interior artist Javier Fernandez, with covers by Alex Maleev. The new creative team will start their run with August's Green Arrow #43.
The announcement came during the publisher's DC Universe panel Saturday afternoon at WonderCon in Anaheim, California. The Bensons' previous DC series, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, starring Batgirl, Black Canary and Huntress, will come to an end in May.
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“As we mourn the loss of our beloved Birds, hope in the form of an arrow has struck us through the heart with the opportunity to take on Oliver Queen,” Julie Benson and Shawna Benson said in a press release. “Ollie's made a few appearances alongside the Birds since we began writing at DC with Rebirth, and we can't wait to continue making our mark on the 77-year old marksman this summer. And we won't be leaving our ladies behind! Black Canary, aka Ollie's 'Pretty Bird,' will continue to star in Green Arrow.”
“We're both humbled and flabbergasted to follow in the footsteps of comic greats like Mort Weisinger, Denny O'Neil, Mike Grell, Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer, Jeff Lemire, Ann Nocenti, and of course, Ben Percy," the writers added. "We're honored to be included in their ranks and proud of DC for seeing our strength and for moving us over to Green Arrow. Joining us in August is the amazingly talented Javier Fernández on interiors and the masterful Alex Maleev on cover art.”
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Green Arrow Annual #2 -- Julie Benson and Shawna Benson's first issue writing the Emerald Archer -- will see Oliver Queen go up against the Suicide Squad's leader, Amanda Waller. The issue's solicitation text, interior art and cover are found below.
GREEN ARROW ANNUAL #2
- Written by JULIE BENSON and SHAWNA BENSON
- Art by CARMEN CARNERO
- Cover by DAVID LOPEZ
- A TIE-IN TO JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE!
- Entitled rich boy Oliver Queen grew up a member of elite society. But after a drunken escapade left him stranded on a deserted island, Oliver learned to survive and become more than a man—he became a hunter. He became a survivor. He became a hero. But when Green Arrow comes face-to-face with a challenge he never saw coming, his entire worldview—his reason for being a hero—comes into question. Because that challenge has a name: Amanda Waller!
- On sale MAY 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+